| Herbs |
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Monographs
Ephedra
Gingko Biloba
St. John's Wort
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from the ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs |
Medicinal Herb FAQ
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
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All you ever wanted to know about medicinal herbs. A FAQ for alt.folklore.herbs and the medicinal herblist |
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| Ginseng |
Panax Ginseng helps the body to overcome stress, fatigue and weakness. It is especially helpful for mental fatigue. It also has a very beneficial effect on the heart and circulatory system. It is not a remedy for acute phase illness, but it is excellent for debility during recovery, chronic conditions or old age. It is traditionally used for anxiety, shortness of breath and prolapsed Qi. Its energizing effects are used to improve concentration, boost resistance, combat weakness and debility. It is used as an aphrodisiac and considered a remedy for heart problems, indigestion and erectile disfunction. |
| Ginseng: What it is and isn't!
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A nice intro. By the Canadian Ministry of Agriculture and Food 
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| Ginseng Monograph
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A nice and scientic study from Mayo Clinic on ginseng. Includes a roundup of the results of other studies.
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| Solving the Ginseng Jumble
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About the different types of ginsengs
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| Tryptophan/5HTP |
Tryptophan gives 5-HTP which gives serotonin which makes us happy!
L-Tryptophan metabolism plays a vital role in our health. Not only is tryptophan an essential amino acid for building proteins and enzymes, but it serves as the precursor for 1) the brain neurotransmitter serotonin, and 2) the hydrogen (energy) carriers NADH and NADPH. Each of these three roles is essential for the maintenance of life, health and consciousness....5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the immediate precursor to serotonin (5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine). Serotonin plays an important role in regulation of mood, appetite, body temperature, and the secretion of various hormones. While serotonin does not readily cross the blood brain barrier, serotonin precursors such as L-tryptophan and 5-HTP do. Supplementation with these precursors increases both central and peripheral levels of serotonin, and 5-HTP is generally seen as superior because it bypasses the rate-limiting step of serotonin synthesis (tryptophan hydroxylase) and absorption is not dependent on dietary factors. 5-HTP also crosses into the CNS more easily, as L-tryptophan is limited by transporter availability and other factors.
Note: 5-HTP is converted in serotonin only if you are in a place with light. If it is dark then 5-HTP is converted to melatonin, which makes you feel drowsy. So if you want to cheer up take 5-HTP only in times you know you will be near light. |
| 5-HTP Prozac's true alternative
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| Tryptophan article
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by James South
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| 5-HTP by Ray Sahelian
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| 5-HTP article
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| Melatonin |
Melatonin controls the circadian rhytms. Extremely useful for night owls!
The pineal gland, until recently, has been referred to as the mystery gland, since its functions were largely unknown. The pineal is now recognized as a key element in the maintenance of the body's endocrine regulation (hormone balance), immune system integrity, and circadian rhythm (daily metabolic balance). Melatonin is under investigation as a treatment for a number of conditions, including jet-lag, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), depression, and cancer. The pineal gland functions as a biological clock by secreting melatonin (along with many other neuropeptides) at night.
You can take melatonin in tablets or you can take it's precursor 5-HTP. In the latter case be sure to take 5-HTP at the late evening or generally in times you are not near strong light. 5-HTP is converted to serotonin if you are near light. |
| Melatonin chapter from Tihkal's book
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| Melatonin by Smart Drugs II: The Next Generation
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| Melatonin Drug Interactions
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| Misc docs |
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| Supplements for depression
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